The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-12
CLEVELAND AND THE G.. \. R.
Gen. W. 7. Sherman Writes a Letter
Concerning the st. Louis Quarrel.
Sure the President Will Not Be Insulted,
ard Offers to Pledge His Life to That Ef-
Newfoundland Characteristic Talk.

ST. LOUIS, June 11-Gen John A. Noble and
Col. ID. +. Dyer, two prominent members of the
Grand Army of the Republic of this city, re-
ceived a long letter to- day from General Sher-
man, in which he discusses. at some length, the
recent muddle regarding the invitation to Presi-
dent Cleveland to visit ST. Louis during the
Grand Army encampment next fall. The ma
terial points of the letter are as follows:
THE rumor of your troubles in St Louis
reached me by telegraph and has lost nothing
by distance. believe we here in New York now
understand the facts, that the Grand Army of
the Republic holds its next annual encampment
at ST. Louis on the last Wednesday of Septem-
her, 1887 that the great fair of the valley of the
Mississippi begins Monday, Oct q that
the best citizens of St. Louis have invited
many prominent men to be the guests of their
city on the accidental coincidence of these two
important events. among these being the Pres-
dent of our common country. Grover Cleveland,
his family and suite. The Grand Army Of the
Republic is composed exclusively of men who
served in the army and navy of the Union, to
which Mr.. Cleveland does not belong, and there
fore he cannot participate in any of the pro-
ceedings, but the moment the Grand Army
emerges from its hall of deliberation, il be-
comes, like the Freemasons, Odd-fellows
and other societies of good men associated for a
noble purpose, a part of the general community,
subject to the laws and usaees of that commun-
ity. Mr.. Cleveland, the President of the United
States by a fair election of all our people, com
mander in-chef of the army and navy of the
United States is free to come and go wherever
the jurisdiction of this our national govern
ment extends. He may visit any fort
be lowered to manifest respect to him
and mis- office, and should foreign
ship fail to do him full honors will be so
quick to resent an insult the members of the
Grand Army OF the Republic who periled life
and limb to make that flag respected at home
and abroad. The idea of his being insulted
much less endangered should he be on the stand
alongside of commander-in-chie General
Fairchild. when the Grand Army is passing
think know the Iowa boys too
we'll to believe such thing possible. Brave
men are never ungeuerous. and the Iowa soldiers
were brave men, l know it of knowledge
no Iowa soldier will do unmanly act; and
should Mr.. Cleveland accept the invitation,
Grand Army of the Republic at ST. Louis on the
2eth of September next, l will stand by his side
and march past in the ranks of Ransom Post
may be ordered by General Fairchild.
/ notice with pain that the Presidents action
on certain bills enters into this unhappy contro-
versy There were many private bills, and one
of a general nature, which the President vetoed.
The Constitution of the United. States compels
the President to approve or veto each
separate bill as it reaches him from
Congress. II approved. it becomes a
law if vetoed, it req uires an increased
majority of Congress to pass it; but the Presi-
dent can only account for his judgment by his
own conception of duty to his country and to
his God. We as soldiers. must submit to it, be-
cause it is the law l do not believe this gov
eminent can be too charitable
to the old soldiers. wounded, or
in distress by age and infrmity, and
had been near Mr. Cleveland 1 would not have
ventured to advise him on the general bill, but
as to the private cases 1 would have said: Char
ity enters largely into all pensions and when
any special bills have passed the ordeal of the
committees of the Senate and House. approve
them; but the general bill, exercise your full
constitutional power Honest men differ widely
on this question of pensions to old and feeble
comrades We want TO do what is right, but
differ to the means. All know is that
twenty odd years after the civil war, the govern
ment OF the United States. under Republican
and Democratic rule. pays out to our old soldiers
of the Union army about $50. 900, 900 per year
and few thousands to the Mexican war veter-
ans, regardless of locality, and not one cent to
the rebels of the Soutl, whom fought in the
civil war We old soldiers of the civil war have
not yet just cause to make an issue the ques-
ton of pensions to our infirm and wounded COM
rades.
II advise you to go right along, prepare the
way for the Grand Army of the Republic, at its
session of Wednesday, Sept. IS. 1867, at ST.
Louis and receive them as they deserve-as
honored guests; also, the President of the
United States with such other honored guests
as may grace the occasion. If any of our com
rades feel hurt at the association they
main at home, but the sun will rise next morn
ing the seasons will follow each other in quick
succession, and the world. with its myrads Of
people. will go right along all the same.
Let us do right we know how. and
trust the future to the boys who look on Us old
veterans as prodigies, or old foges. lingering
superfuant on the stage of life. / believe
know you both perfectly well, and that you
would sacrifice life rather than honor; therefore.
whatever you do, / will stand by you-same as to
Rain water. Kennard. Cobb and Jerome Hill, who
took t he wrong shoot in 1861. but who now
with us in heart and act for the Union one and
now and forever Instead of the
Grand Army of the Republic meeting only in the
loyal States of 1s61-65, in favor of their
meeting hereafter at Nashville Chattanooga,
Atlanta. and Richmond, following the example |
OF the armies in the for the Union.
II am always your friend,
W. T. SHERMAN"